Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Richmond (Va.) Reel 999.

Preferred Citation

Manchester (Va.) Land Record Book, 1867-1909. Richmond (Va.) Reel 999, Local government records collection, Richmond (City) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Acquisition Information

This original volume came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from the City of Richmond.

Reel 999 was generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.

Historical Information

Manchester was established as a town by the General Assembly in November 1769. According to this act, "the honorable William Byrd hath lately laid out a parcel of his lands at Rocky Ridge, at the falls of the James River, in the county of Chesterfield, in lots and streets for a town." Directors and trustees were appointed and the town was named Manchester. The town was incorporated on February 27, 1834. On March 20, 1874, a city charter was approved by the General Assembly and the city was divided into 4 wards. Three members from each ward served on the City Council, the main governing body of the city along with the mayor. On April 15, 1910, the city of Manchester was officially annexed to the City of Richmond with the provisos that a free bridge would be constructed to connect Manchester with Richmond and that Manchester would retain a courthouse. Today the area is also known as South Richmond. The town of Manchester was named probably for Manchester Parish in Chesterfield County. The parish in turn was named either for George Montague, fourth duke of Manchester, or for the town of Manchester, England.

Scope and Content

Manchester (Va.) Land Record Book, 1867-1909, is described within the volume itself as follows: "wherein all deeds, conveyances, leases, contracts, etc. relating to or setting forth the action of the Board of Trustees of said Town with regard to the real estate, streets or other property of said Town to be preserved for the convenience and information of said Board of Trustees." The volume primarily notes identures and deeds of lease between individuals and companies. There are a couple of loose papers found at the end of the volume dating from 1884 and 1899. A partial index is found at the beginning of the volume.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Related Material

Additional Richmond City Land Records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm"

A wonderful history of Manchester "Old Manchester and Its Environs, 1769-1910" was published in 1993 by noted local historian, Benjamin B. Weisiger III. The volume is found in the Library of Virginia's book collection.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Richmond (Va.) Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• African Americans--History.
• Business enterprises--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Business enterprises--Virginia--Manchester.
• Land subdivision--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Land subdivision--Virginia--Manchester.
• Municipal government--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Municipal government--Virginia--Manchester.
• Public records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Public records--Virginia--Manchester.
• Real property--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Real property--Virginia--Manchester.
• Streets--Virgina--Chesterfield County.
• Streets--Virginia--Manchester.

Geographical Names:

• Chesterfield County (Va.)--History--19th century.
• Manchester (Va.)--History.
• Richmond (Va.)--History--20th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Contracts--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Contracts--Virginia--Manchester.
• Conveyances--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Conveyances--Virginia--Manchester.
• Deeds--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Deeds--Virginia--Manchester.
• Land records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Land records--Virginia--Manchester.
• Leases--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Leases--Virginia-Manchester.
• Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Local government records--Virginia--Manchester.

Added Entry - Corporate Name:

• Chesterfield County (Va.) County Court.
• Manchester (Va.) Corporation Court.

Adjunct Descriptive Data